This study in South Africa tested whether trained lay health workers could help find more tuberculosis (TB) cases in hospitals by doing regular screening and using better testing tools. Compared to the year before, the number of patients diagnosed with TB doubled (from 7.5% to 15%) and fewer people died in the hospital. The results show that using lay health workers for TB … [Read more...] about Enhancing tuberculosis (TB) case detection among hospitalized patients through lay health worker led screening: a before-and-after study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Program Evaluation of Community Case Management with Reactive Test and Treat for Malaria in a High-Transmission Setting
In Zambia, a program that combined community-based malaria care and targeted testing (CCM + RTAT) using community health workers helped people get malaria treatment earlier. This led to fewer cases showing up at health facilities and lower death rates among children hospitalized with malaria. The children also had less severe illness and shorter hospital stays. However, while … [Read more...] about Program Evaluation of Community Case Management with Reactive Test and Treat for Malaria in a High-Transmission Setting
Learning from the strengths of health care in schools in Brazil & opportunities for contemporary global school health
Schools play a key role in children’s health and learning. This article looks at Brazil’s school health efforts and suggests ways to improve school health programs worldwide. It highlights four main opportunities: (1) clearly defining the role of community health workers in schools, (2) using proven health programs in schools more widely, (3) better coordination of care to help … [Read more...] about Learning from the strengths of health care in schools in Brazil & opportunities for contemporary global school health
Improving Service Quality of Home-Based Health Care Services for the Elderly: A Qualitative Study of Facilitators and Barriers Reported by Community Health Workers in Beijing
As more people grow older, the need for home health care is rising. This study looked at how home health care by community health service organizations is working in Beijing and what helps or hinders its success. Interviews with doctors, nurses, and managers showed that strong teamwork, motivation, and good local support helped the system work well. However, problems like … [Read more...] about Improving Service Quality of Home-Based Health Care Services for the Elderly: A Qualitative Study of Facilitators and Barriers Reported by Community Health Workers in Beijing
Design and Development of a mHealth Dementia Screening Tool in Resource-Limited Settings: Lessons Learned from Designing for and with Community Health Workers in Peru
Dementia care is difficult in rural parts of Latin America, where tools for diagnosis often don’t work well because they are not designed with local needs in mind. This study looked at how working closely with community health workers and local healthcare staff in rural Peru helped create a mobile app to screen for dementia. Over 18 months, the team used feedback from the … [Read more...] about Design and Development of a mHealth Dementia Screening Tool in Resource-Limited Settings: Lessons Learned from Designing for and with Community Health Workers in Peru